Forensic psychology involves applying psychological principles to legal settings like courts. Forensic psychologists work in prisons, hospitals, police departments, and private practice. Their roles include developing treatment programs, assessing risk, advising parole boards, and testifying in court. To become a forensic psychologist requires an undergraduate degree, a master's in forensic psychology, two years of supervised practice, and registration with the Health Professions Council.

1. Forensic Psychology as a
career
Rachel Atkinson

2. What do forensic psychologists do?
• Forensic psychology is concerned with the psychological aspects of
legal processes in courts. The term is also often used to refer to
investigative and criminological psychology: applying psychological
theory to criminal investigation, understanding psychological problems
associated with criminal behaviour and the treatment of criminals.

3. Key tasks undertaken by forensic psychologists
include:
• piloting and implementing treatment programmes
• modifying offender behaviour
• responding to the changing needs of staff and prisoners
• reducing stress for staff and prisoners
• providing hard research evidence to support practice
• undertaking statistical analysis for prisoner profiling
• giving evidence in court
• advising parole boards and mental health tribunals
• crime analysis

4. Where do they work?
• The largest single employer of forensic psychologists in the UK is HM
Prison Service (which includes the Home Office Research and
Development Unit as well as prisons).
• Forensic psychologists can also be employed in:
– the health service (including rehabilitation units and secure hospitals)
– the social service (including the police service, young offenders units, and
the probation service)
– university departments
– private consultancy.

5. Qualifying as a forensic psychologist
• To become a Chartered Member of the Society through the forensic
psychology training route, you will need the following qualifications:
• Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). This is achieved by
completing a Society accredited degree or conversion course
• Society accredited Masters in Forensic Psychology
• Stage 2 of the Society’s Qualification in Forensic Psychology (two
years supervised practice)
• Some universities offer a doctorate programme in Forensic Psychology.
This qualification makes you eligible to become a Chartered Member of
the Society.
• In order to use the title Forensic Psychologist, you will need to be
registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC).

6. My path….
• Joint (hons) in Psychology and English literature
• An MSc in Occupational Psychology
• Conversion to Forensic Psychology via the BPS Certificate.
• Assistant psychologist role in HMPS HQ researching the
criminogenic needs of female offenders.
• Trainee psychologist role on a treatment programme for high
risk violent offenders. Gained chartership and promoted to
National Lead for the violence programme.
• Moved to a project to design a treatment programme for very
violent high risk psychopathic men. Now National Clinical Lead
for this programme.

7. Current role
• Co-author of the programme for high risk violent and psychopathic
offenders. Oversee national and local implementation, deliver/oversee
national staff training and supervision, provide clinical support and
auditing, manage the budget and advise government on effective
working with this population.
• Work clinically with violent offenders and conduct and supervise risk
assessments.
• Develop training workshops for staff in health and prison service on
working with personality disordered offenders.
• Research and evaluate treatment effectiveness and present findings at
national and international conferences.
• Publish journal articles and book chapters.
• Supervise trainee forensic psychologists.

8. Tips/hints?
• Be sure!

9. Is it for me?
Yes, if….
• You are nonjudgmental and believe in capacity for change
• You can separate the person from their behavior
• You are robust but able to learn from feedback and acknowledge your
own limitations
• You want to protect the public as well as improve the lives of offenders
• You are interested in legal processes and can cope with working in
secure (often bleak!) environments
• You work well in a team as well as independently.
• You like a challenge! Literally a captive audience…..

10. How to get into it…
• Get work experience - ideally working with
people with challenging personal and social
histories
• Often universities will have links with HMPS
or NHS
• Be prepared to start as an assistant (even if
you have a Masters!)
• Find good supervisor who has contacts.